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Fruit Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing – WellPlated.com


Meet the Fruit Salad recipe we all need. A rainbow of sweet blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, and kiwi tossed in a bright, citrusy honey poppy seed dressing, this is a big bowl of beautiful!

easy fruit salad recipe in a bowl

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This is my absolute favorite fruit salad, ever.

The combination of fruits is striking (so many colors!).

A mix of softer and firmer fruits give it a perfect array of textures.

The dressing is FANTASTIC.

In fact, it’s my secret to the BEST fruit salad ever. You’re going to love it!

the best fruit salad recipe with honey poppyseed dressing

5 Star Review

“Absolute crowd pleaser!! Everyone wanted the recipe.”

— Melissa —

Fruit Salad is the Perfect Party Side

No matter the day, month, celebration, or occasion, a fruit salad is always a great addition.

  • Colorful. With just about every color in the rainbow, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another side dish that looks this vibrant on your table.
  • Crowd-pleasing. Who doesn’t love fruit? Kids, adults, and everyone in between can find something they like in a fruit salad. (Rainbow Fruit Pizza is another fruity crowd-pleaser.)
  • Versatile. While the recipe I’m sharing is my favorite go-to blend of fruit, by all means, feel empowered to wing it and change up the fruit based on what’s in season and what your friends and family enjoy most.
mixed fruit salad with kiwi, strawberries, and blueberries

How to Make Fresh Fruit Salad

What makes an everyday easy fruit salad recipe special?

Is it not just a bunch of cut-up fruit in a bowl?

That’s what I thought, too, until I added my secret fruit salad W-O-W factor: honey-lime fruit salad dressing.

  • The dressing makes the fruit pop and taste like an even better, fresher version of itself.
  • Citrus dressings are my favorite when using berries and tropical fruits.
  • For a creamy fruit salad recipe, check out this Grape Salad; it uses protein-packed Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

The Ingredients

  • Berries. Since I primarily make summer fruit salad, strawberries and blueberries are my two favorite fruits to add to it. Both are high in vitamin C, and blueberries especially pack antioxidants.
  • Pineapple. Tropical flair! Its bright taste makes the salad more dynamic. Pineapple is also high in nutrients like vitamin C and manganese and contains antioxidants (read more about pineapple’s health benefits here).

TIP!

Coring, peeling, and cutting pineapple can be time-consuming. Save time by purchasing fresh pineapple chunks or rings, which are typically available in the grocery store produce section.

I do not recommend canned pineapple for fruit salad, because its flavor is more lackluster, and it can be mushy.

  • Grapes. Seedless red grapes add crunch and are short on prep time. Simply rinse and dry them, and they are ready to add (no need to halve grapes for fruit salad—unless you are feeling very fancy).
  • Kiwi. This little green powerhouse is PACKED with vitamin C, and it makes the fruit salad (and this Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie) taste sunny.

How to Cut Kiwi

  • Slice off the ends of the kiwi.
  • With a small spoon scoop out the flesh in as large a piece as possible, working your way around the edge of the peel. Alternatively, you can peel it with a vegetable peeler.
  • Cut into coins, then quarters. Discard the peel.
  • Banana. An extra layer of vacation vibes and natural sweetness. Its creamy texture (which is also perfect for a Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie) is a nice contrast with the other fruit. Plus, they’re packed with potassium.
  • Fruit Salad Dressing. A combination of fresh orange juice, lime juice (or lemon juice), and honey makes the fruit taste as sunny as a summer day. Poppy seeds are a fun addition that makes this salad extra special.

TIP!

Love citrus? Add the lime zest and orange zest to the dressing with the juice.

  • Vanilla Extract. The secret fruit salad dressing ingredient that will have your guests asking for the recipe.
tropical fruit salad in a bowl with poppyseeds

Tips for Choosing Fruit

A fruit salad can contain any mix of fresh fruit you like.

When selecting fruits, keep in mind that at the end of the day, the quality of the fruit is the most important part of a great-tasting fresh fruit salad.

Therefore, my top tip for the best fruit salad recipe is to choose ripe, in-season fruit. This salad is all about the fruit.

The better your fruit tastes, the better your salad will be.

  • In peak summer, this salad is wonderful with stone fruit (such as cherries, nectarines, peaches, apricots, and plums). Honeydew, cantaloupe, or watermelon are also nice choices (or save the watermelon for this Watermelon Salad). As for berries, grab a handful of raspberries, blackberries, and/or blueberries. If adding raspberries, wait to add them just before serving, as they are quite delicate.
  • For a fall fruit salad, try using pears, apples, and dried cranberries (this variation is a great side dish for Christmas and Thanksgiving).
  • For a winter fruit salad, a selection of fresh oranges (e.g., blood orange or care cara), canned mandarin oranges, or pomegranate arils is a scrumptious cold-weather combination.

No matter what you choose, try your best to select a mix of textures.

  • Combining crisp, crunchy fruits like pineapple and grapes with softer fruits like strawberries and blueberries gives the salad a more interesting, satisfying texture.

The Instructions

grapes, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and blueberries in a bowl
  1. Chop all the fruit (except the banana) and add it to a large bowl.

TIP!

Chop all the fruit roughly the same size. This gives the salad a nice presentation and makes it easier to eat.

citrus fruit salad poppy seed dressing mixture
  1. Blend together the fruit salad dressing.
fruit salad dressing poured into a bowl
  1. Pour the dressing over the fruit.
homemade fruit salad mixed in a bowl
  1. Toss to combine, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

TIP!

Let sit before serving. If you have time, an hour of marinating time in the refrigerator will bring out the fruits’ juices and make the fruit salad taste sweeter.

mix fruit salad in a bowl
  1. Just before serving, stir in the banana. Enjoy!
simple fruit salad with citrus dressing in a bowl

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Fruit salad tastes best the day it is made, if you truly must it can be made before as long as none of the fruits are ones that will turn brown (like apples or bananas). Leftover fruit salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in airtight containers. Serve with a slotted spoon to avoid collecting too much excess juice.
  • To Freeze. Perfect for smoothies! Spread your leftover fruit onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer the fruit to a ziptop bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Meal Prep Tip

Wait to wash your fruit until just before you slice it. This will extend its shelf life in your refrigerator.

Leftover Ideas

Leftover fruit salad with yogurt or oatmeal is yummy for breakfast. Topping fruit salad with whipped cream turns it into dessert. You can even use leftover fruit for healthy smoothie recipes.

Toss your leftover fruit salad with greens and a side of Grilled Chicken Breast for a healthy, hearty meal. You could also make a variation of this Summer Farro Salad too.

How to Serve Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is a healthy side dish packed with fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that you can serve at just about any gathering.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

The Best Mixing Bowls

Comes with 10 sizes for all of your prepping, mixing, and serving needs. Plus, they’re exceptionally durable!

easy fruit salad bowl

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought!

Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.

Now, this is my idea of tasting the rainbow!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fruit Salad Be Made in Advance?

Fruit salad can be made up to 6 hours in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and wait to add the banana until just before serving. If you plan to add other fruits that will turn brown, such as apples, also wait to add these until just before serving. Restir prior to serving. I do not recommend making fruit salad a day ahead or refrigerating fruit salad overnight if it can be avoided, since the fruit will become somewhat mushy.

Can I Use Frozen Fruit in This Recipe?

I do not recommend frozen fruit for this recipe, as it will be too wet and mushy once thawed. For a great fruit salad, fresh is best.

Why Wait to Add Banana to Fruit Salad?

Banana’s flavor gets stronger as it sits, and it also tends to turn brown. Adding it last preserves its color and keeps its flavor in balance with the other fruits.

Can I Use Lemon Juice Instead of Lime?

Yes. I recommend using half the amount.

How to Choose Fruit for Fruit Salad?

When you think of mixing and matching fruit, stick with fruits that share a common season or with an overall vibe. As a general rule, strawberries and blueberries go well with tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya, and kiwi.
Fall fruits like apples and pears pair nicely with grapes.

What Else Can I Add To Fruit Salad?

For some added texture and crunch, toss in some nuts (my recommendation would be almonds or pecans) or toasted coconut. Dried fruits can also be a nice way to add some textural dimension to fruit salad recipes too.

Is this a Vegan Fruit Salad?

If you swap maple syrup or agave for the honey in the dressing, yes this is a vegan fruit salad recipe.

When Is the Best Time to Serve Fruit Salad?

Fruit salad is typically served as a side at the same time as the rest of the meal, but there is truly no bad time to enjoy it! Have fruit salad for breakfast with yogurt, bring it to a brunch or afternoon barbecue, or enjoy it with your dinner.

Fruit Salad Video

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YouTube video

FOR THE FRUIT SALAD:

  • 1 pound fresh strawberries sliced and halved (about 3 cups)
  • 1 pound diced fresh pineapple about 3 cups
  • 1 pint fresh blueberries about 2 cups
  • 5 kiwi fruit peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups)
  • 2 cups seedless red grapes
  • 1 large banana* peeled and cut into bite sized pieces (about 1 cup)
  • Chopped fresh mint optional

FOR THE DRESSING:

  • zest of 1/2 medium orange
  • juice of 1/2 the same medium orange about 3 tablespoons
  • zest of 1 small lime or 1/2 small lemon
  • juice of the same 1 small lime or 1/2 small lemon
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

  • If you will not be serving the fruit salad right away, place all of the fruit except the banana in a large serving bowl: strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, kiwi, and grapes.

  • In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the dressing: orange zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, honey, vanilla extract, and poppy seeds.

  • Pour the dressing over the fruit and with a large spoon, toss gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the juices to marry (1 hour is even better). Just before serving, stir in the banana. Sprinkle with fresh mint. Enjoy!

YouTube video

  • *The banana will turn a little brown as it sits and its flavor will become more pronounced, which is why I suggest to add it just before serving. If this doesn’t bother you, feel free to add it right away.
  • TO STORE. Fruit salad tastes best the day it is made, but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Serve with a slotted spoon to avoid collecting too many of the excesses juices.
  • TO FREEZE. My favorite for smoothies! Spread your leftover fruit onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer the fruit to a ziptop bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Serving: 1of 12 (about 1 heaping cup)Calories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gPotassium: 347mgFiber: 4gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 111IUVitamin C: 83mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg

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